The estimated life of a start up magazine is less than one year. If you are able to stay in the game for two years, they say you have a fighting chance.

As we begin our third year, I can assure you we are here to stay.

There is one simple reason Texoma Living! has endured and grown over the past years: readers love what we do. We have kept our original promise of a basic editorial stand—Texoma People. Texoma Stories. Everything on every page has a direct Texoma connection.

In this current issue we discover yet more people who are doing extraordinary things. They are your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers. They are living just down the road or up the block.

Gene Lenore is a Sherman writer whose television documentaries are currently airing on the Smithsonian Channel on satellite television. Lenore's award-winning program on "America's Hangar: The Smithsonian Air & Space Museum." His story "World's Largest, World's Smallest" gives you insight into what it takes to create one of these fact-filled shows.

Terry Irvin's annual crop of organic and herbal teas sells out almost as soon as she harvests the fields. Her Grayson Co. Herbal Tea Company is a growing success. Terry's story "The Tea Lady of Schneider Road" is part of our food section on traditional tea parties with a fabulous layout by senior photographer, Anne-Marie Shumate at Denison's Inn of Many Faces, hosted by owners Charlie and Gloria Morton. Charlie and Gloria tell their own story about taking a leap of faith and investing their future in the Bed & Breakfast business. The main photo feature, complete with recipes, stars our tea party guests Paulette Pugh, Marilyn Pickens and Julia Retz bring back the elegance of a time when we took time to enjoy one another's company.

Of course, these are just two of the many stories in the newest issue of Texoma Living! If you are not getting Texoma Living! at home, it's time to subscribe and stop stressing over missing the latest issue. $12.95 brings you a full year. Sign up online (see the link at the top left of this page) of call our office (903) 891-7274 and ask for Debbie.

Dan Acree/Publisher